Extensible corset.



Patenfed Ian. 7, I902.

F. 0. SMITH.

EXTENSIBLE CORSET.

(Application filed se c. '12, 1901.

(No Model.)

INVENTOH 35m fiudmdld mlm,

NrrEn STATEs ATET r FFICE.

EEANoEs CLEVELAND SMITH, or ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE FOURTH To ANNIE INMAN GRANT, or ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

EXTENSIBLE CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Not. 690,898, dated January 7, 1902. Application filed September 12, 1901. Serial No. 75,150. (No model- T aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCES CLEVELAND SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Atlanta, county of 'Fulton, and

State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extensible Corsets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Thisinventionrelates to extensible corsets, the object thereof being to provide an improved device of this character which is susr 5 ceptible of expansion and contraction, whereby it may be readily adjusted to neatly and snugly fit a person who is undergoing bodily changes of proportion. The device is also adapted for use of women while nursing children; and it embodies in its construction hygienic principles of support, the parts being relatively arranged and assembled in such a manner as to equally distribute the strain and weightof the garments.

2 5 The invention will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the auneXed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a per- 0 spective view of myimproved corset, and Fig.

2 is a similar view showing the device adjusted to the body of a wearer and in slightlyextended condition.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the back of the corset, which comprises the two sections a a, held together by means of the lace 1 in the ordinary manner. The body of the corset further comprises the side sections B B and front sections 0 O, which are held 0 together by means of the laces 2 and 3. The front sections 0 C are fastened together by buttons and buttonholes, as c and c, or any other suitable means for clasping the corset may be employed. Formed at the bust por- 5 tion upon each side of the corset is a flap D, comprising the adjacent sections d and d. This flap is normally clasped over the bust and held in place by means of any suitable fastening devices-for instance, clasps comprising the parts 4 and 5- as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings; but buttons and but tonholes maybe employed, if desired.

The corset-sections may be ribbed, boned, or stiffened in any suitable manner common to articles of this character, and the device can be constructed either as a corset or corset-waist.

The flaps D are adapted for usein nursing children, and they may be opened and turned down, as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings, or one side onlymaybe opened and folded over, if desired.

The front sections of the corset are con nected together by extensible strips E, which when the corset is extended fill up the spaces 6 5 between the sections to afford a protective covering for the body.

I As a means for supporting the corsetI employ shoulder-straps F, which are bifurcated at their free ends to form the fastening- 7o straps f, which have buttonholes f for engaging buttons 6, located at the sides of the bust, whereby pressure of the straps against the bust is obviated and the flaps I) may be opened and closed Without the necessity of unfastening the straps.

Around the bottom edge of the corset I place a row of buttons G. These buttons are used to support a petticoat, as H, which has a band H, provided with buttonholes 7a,. By this means all the weight is removed from the waist, the garment being supported directly from the shoulders.

Depending from the lower edge of the cor set, back of the side seams, are straps I, which have buttons 1) for engagement with. stockingsupporters. The location of these straps upon the back sections of the corset removes all weight from the abdomen, the support being directly from the shoulders.

The operation and uses of my invention are obvious. When the body is in normal shape, the corset is laced with the sections tightly joined, as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings; but as the body becomes enlarged 5 the lacing is loosened over the enlarged parts to a sufficient extent to make the corset fit. Thus I provide an efficient and hygienic device adapted for constant use.

I do not confine myself to the specific deroe 'may be extended, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the corset embodying. the plurality of sections laced together, and the bust-flaps, of the shoulderstraps having bifurcated ends, and means for attaching said ends to the corset at the sides of the flaps, whereby pressure is removed from the breasts, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a corset, the combination, with the plurality of sections laced together, and the extensible connections at the joints of said sections, and the flaps and fasteners therefor, of the shoulder-straps having the bifurcated ends, and a row of buttons on the lower edge of the corset for supporting a skirt, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in pres ence of two witnesses, this 5th day of September, 1901.

FRANCES CLEVELAND SMITH.

Witnesses:

HELEN HOWARD CLEVELAND, ELLEN REBECCA HANSON. 

